17 Amazing Benefits & Uses of Chasteberry

Chasteberry has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and while research is still limited, it appears to have certain important health benefits.

What is Chasteberry?

Chasteberry is the fruit of the chaste tree, which bears the scientific name Vitex agnus-castus. Other trees and plants in the Vitex genus are typically tropical in nature, but this species is also found in temperate areas. The tree and its berries have the name “chaste” because the fruit was long believed to be an aphrodisiac. The effects that this plant can have on the reproductive health of both men and women is largely why it remains in use to this day.

While chasteberries are perhaps the most well-known part of the plant, the flowers, leaves, and tender shoots are also used in certain medicinal applications. Some of the active ingredients from these berries have been utilized in more formal medicine, specifically to regulate female hormonal health, but there is still some debate about the efficacy of this tree and its fruits.

Chasteberry Benefits

There are many traditional benefits associated with chasteberry, including improving female fertility, reducing signs of acne, treating an enlarged prostate, and repelling insects, among others. However, if you are using these berries or their extract to treat a specific medical condition, it is wise to speak with your doctor about using this potent herb.

As a dietary supplement (capsule, tablet, powder, etc.), these berries can help minimize PMS symptoms, such as mood swings and cramps.

If you suffer from menstrual pain, using these berries regularly can improve your symptoms over the long-term

Although there is some debate about the appropriate dose of chasteberry, most experts recommend taking 20 milligrams of a dry supplement three times a day, particularly if you are using it to balance your hormones.

For a liquid extract, 30-40 drops each morning should be sufficient.

Regardless of why you are choosing to use this herbal remedy, it is best to speak with your doctor before beginning a new treatment.

Chasteberry Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of eating too many berries, or consuming too much of this supplement, include the following:

In some cases, it can cause a worsening of menstrual symptoms in women.

If you experience an allergic reaction, such as struggling to breathe or swelling on the face and neck, see a doctor immediately. Finally, if you are taking oral contraceptives, chasteberry can interfere with their effectiveness, so use this herb with caution!

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, and publisher who earned his English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Urbana (USA). He is the co-founder of a literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and calls the most beautiful places in the world his office. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.